Men We Heart: Hunter Hayes

Hunter Hayes will help us kick off the 1st annual iHeartRadio Country Festival this year in Austin.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Shelby Case for iHeartRadio</span>
Hunter Hayes' career has sky-rocketed over the past year. Here are the reasons we heart this country cutie!
<p>He performed at the 2013 CMT Music Awards.</p>
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He also performed at the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas!
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter has been nominated for multiple Grammy awards.
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<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He's got style!
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<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He started performing in restaurants ... and now he's here!
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He can play multiple instruments - and he taught himself everything!
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<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He's already shared the stage with some of the biggest stars in country music.
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<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter Hayes attended the 2013 MusiCares Person Of The Year Gala honoring Bruce Springsteen.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He was honored at this year's CMT Artists Of The Year ceremony, where rock icon Peter Frampton presented him with the award!
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter teamed up with Victoria Justice to cover "Almost Paradise" for the Footloose soundtrack.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He won a CMT Music Award this year!
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He was honored at this year's BMI Country Awards. Here he is with the handsome Sam Palladio and Charles Esten of the show "Nashville!"
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He performed on NBC's "Today."
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He made appearances on "Maury", "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," Nickeloden's "Figure It Out," and "America's Most Talented Kids."
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
Hunter released five independent albums before his self titled studio album was released in 2011.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
Hunter played all of the 32 instruments on his album.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
Recorded his first album at the age of four, which was released just after his fifth birthday.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
Released a premium edition of his self titled album which is named "Encore." The album features five new songs and special editions of several other songs from his original album.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
He has opened up for artists Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood.
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<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Collaborated with country singer Ashley Monroe. She is featured on a deluxe version of Hunter's song "What You Gonna Do." Hunter also worked with Jason Mraz on "Encore." Mraz is featured on the deluxe edition of Hunter's song "Everybody's Got Somebody But Me."
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter co-wrote the song "Play" for Rascal Flatts. He opened up for the band during their 2012 tour.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter Hayes was named "New Artist of the Year" at the 46th annual CMA Awards in 2012.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
When performing live on stage, Hunter switches back and forth between playing the guitar, drums, and keyboard.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter Hayes' current single is "I Want Crazy" off the "Encore" edition of his album
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter Hayes got to meet and work with one of his idols, Stevie Wonder!
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter loves meeting his fans and tries his hardest to meet every single one of them.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter's had two #1 singles: "Wanted" and "Somebody's Heartbreak."
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He performed his single "I Want Crazy" on "The Voice" finale in 2013
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter Hayes rocks the crowd in October 2012.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter was named a sponsor of Martin Guitars in 2012.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter's tour set features lyrics from several of his songs, written on the background, speakers, and instruments.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Previously volunteered with "Musicians on Call." "Musicians on call brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities." (information via MusiciansOnCall.org)
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter performed on the soundtrack for the remake of the movie "Footloose."
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter Hayes began playing the accordion at the age of two when he was given a toy accordion by his grandmother.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
This photo was taken in 2012 when Hunter performed on "The Today Show."
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter collaborated with Nickeloden star Victoria Justice on the 2011 "Footloose" soundtrack. They remade the 1980's song "Almost Paradise."
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Hunter Hayes was nominated for three Grammy awards in 2013. He was the youngest male country artists to ever be nominated in each category.
<p><b>CHECK OUT MORE: <a href="http://news.iheart.com/go/countryfestival/"target="new">iHeartRadio Country Festival 2014</a></b>
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>